Page 22 of Lost Trust

I sigh. “Fine.”

When I climb into the passenger seat, Jovie reaches for the seat belt.

“I can do it.”

She ignores me, grabs the belt, pulls it across my chest, and clicks it into place.

I stare straight ahead.

Axle climbs behind the wheel and puts the truck in drive, and nobody says anything for a few miles. The silence is worse than the lecture.

Finally, I clear my throat. “I’ll schedule an MRI.”

Jovie looks back at me. “When?”

“As soon as we get to Wildhaven.”

She studies me. “I want to see the results.”

“You will.”

“And until then, you’re following my protocol.”

I nod.

“No riding. No lifting. Ice and rest.”

I glance at her and grin. “You gonna be the one to tell Charli I can’t help with setup or teardown this weekend?”

She gives me a pointed look.

I sigh. “Fine.”

She settles back in her seat. “Good.”

I stare out the window as the city disappears behind us.

I hate the weakness. Hate the not knowing worse.

But for the first time since the pain started, I stop pretending it isn’t there.

I’ll get the MRI.

I’ll follow Jovie’s advice.

And I’ll be back on a bull in no time.

Royce

We drop Jovie off at her family’s house in town, and by the time we pull into Wildhaven Storm, it’s late enough that the ranch has gone quiet.

Or it should have.

Instead, the driveway leading to my parents’ house is lined with pickup trucks, and a row of horses is tied along the fence.

I stare through the windshield.

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” Axle grumbles beside me, letting his head fall back against the seat. “I’m fucking done.”